Monday, June 21, 2010

The EU is en route to creating a front of package labeling program for processed foods.

The program will require fat, salt and sugar content to be clearly labeled on package fronts and has lead Paolo Fulci, VP of Ferrero, maker of Nutella, to note that the EU approach carries, "risks" and that it could,

"influence even the habits and the most intimate aspects of one's personal sphere, like the genuine and healthy pleasures that are passed among generations"

Which of course serves as a great quote to help explain the point of nutritional labeling reform.

So what's scaring Paolo Fulci?

I'm guessing that he thinks that if people actually knew that each and every tablespoon of Nutella contains an astonishing 4 teaspoons of sugar (in Europe Nutella has more sugar than here in Canada where each tablespoon has 3 teaspoons of sugar) it just might influence how much Nutella they consume.

The most amazing part of the story?

Apparently an Italian government official founded a support group specifically for Nutella. He's called it "Hands off Nutella" and together he and the group are accusing the EU of "nutritional fundamentalism".

How dare we nutritional fundamentalists suggest people have the right to know what they're eating.

We're madmen!

[BTW - judging by the incredulous emails, people seem very confused that there can be 4 teaspoons of sugar in a tablespoon of Nutella. What people are forgetting is that the volume of sugar in a solid will be much, much less once dissolved.]

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About Me

Family doc, Assistant Prof. at the University of Ottawa, Author of The Diet Fix, and founder of Ottawa's non-surgical Bariatric Medical Institute - a multi-disciplinary, ethical, evidence-based nutrition and weight management centre. Nowadays I'm more likely to stop drugs than start them. You can also find me on Twitter and Facebook.

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